About Us

The Arab Film Festival Australia (AFFA) will proudly present its 14th edition from 17 August to 9 Septmber 2017 in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth. AFFA is a community based and community driven film festival that brings together the best in contemporary Arab cinema to Australian audiences. AFFA provides a unique opportunity for cross-cultural exchange, dialogue and relationship building between Australia and the Arab communities from around the world.

AFFA aims to address the contemporary reality and frequent misrepresentation of Arab peoples and cultures by reflecting the complexity and diversity of the Arab experience. The Festival provides a critical space for alternative screen based representations of Arab subjects, cultures and narratives.

AFFA reflects the dynamism of Arab communities around the world (including Australia) via film and includes an interstate tour, Q&A’s, international guest speakers, local and international films and an education program in schools and tertiary institutions.

The Arab film industry is flourishing and international agencies and platforms are competing to screen richly resonant stories that reflect Arab experiences and journeys. These films amplify the voices of those silenced and bring to light the struggles and challenges of people often not seen on our main screens.

AFFA will be held in Sydney (Parramatta Riverside Theatres), Melbourne (Cinema Nova Carlton), Canberra (National Film and Sound Archive of Australia) and in Perth (Curtin University).

The Arab Film Festival is proudly supported by the Commonwealth through the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR), which is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and receives funding from Screen NSW, Parramatta City Council and has a variety of sponsors including Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Dubai International Film Festival, Knafeh, World Media International, MYSAT, 2moro Radio, Just Pixels, Arabic Pages, Panorama Newspaper and Port Bar and Restaurant.